Prizes handed out to top fun run Junior Challenge schools

Pupils from Copthill School in Uffington who took part in the Anna's Hope 5K Fun Run in the 2015 Perkins Great Eastern Run will be presented with the Junior Challenge Trophy and a brand new sports kit courtesy of ChromaSport Schoolwear & Trophies.

Pupils won the Junior Challenge for raising the most money for the Anna's Hope charity out of all the schools who entered the challenge - £400 in total.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday 27 April 2016.

Pupils from Castor Primary School, Peterborough, who were runners-up, will be presented with a laptop donated by Buckles Solicitors Peterborough.

In addition, book vouchers worth £50 and individual trophies will be given to the girl and boy who raised the most money for Anna's Hope out of all the schools that took part in the race. They are Copthill students Lilly Underwood who raised £170 and William Grooby who raised £50.

Annette Joyce, Service Director City Services and Communications, said: "The support we receive each year for the race from schools is fantastic. It's a great event for the children and young people to be a part of and it raises money for an extremely worthwhile cause, Anna's Hope.

"Entries are open for this year's Junior Challenge, now renamed the Schools Challenge, so if you think your school has what it takes to win, speak to your teacher about signing up."

Anna's Hope founder Carole Hughes said: "We are grateful to all the runners who raised funds for our charity in last year's Perkins Great Eastern Run. We are eternally thankful to ChromaSport Schoolwear & Trophies for donating another £500 sports kit, as they have done each year.

"We are also thankful to Buckles Solicitors Peterborough who gifted the laptop and individual prizes. Next year we look forward to seeing schools enter the Anna’s Hope 5K Fun Run and compete in the Junior Challenge, which will be renamed The Schools Challenge, where schools will be able to challenge each other to win trophies and prizes."

Annette Ward, Marketing Communications Manager from Perkins, the principal sponsor of the race, said: "Copthill School has demonstrated what can be achieved by embracing a worthy local cause like Anna's Hope. The children were able to raise money and have fun while keeping fit at the same time. Perkins and race organisers Peterborough City Council are very proud of what the school has achieved in the Junior Challenge."

Michael Vincent, Managing Director of ChromaSport Schoolwear & Trophies, longstanding sponsors of the Junior Challenge, said: "My wife Mary and I will continue to support the Junior Challenge and Anna's Hope. We are particularly proud to be associated with the overwhelming achievements of this very special and unique charity. Copthill School has thrown down the gauntlet to other schools to see if they can better their excellent fun-run fundraising achievements."

Colleen Gostick, Managing Partner from Buckles, said, “We are proud to support Anna’s Hope and the Junior Challenge and congratulate the prize winners and all those who took part.”

Anna's Hope is dedicated to giving hope to children and young people who have a brain tumour in the East of England. It was inspired by Anna Olivia Hughes, who tragically died from a brain tumour aged three years and eight months in 2006. Anna's Hope was founded by Anna's parents Rob and Carole Hughes.

The 2016 Perkins Great Eastern Run will set off from The Embankment on Sunday 9 October at 10.30am, with the Anna's Hope Fun Run starting at 10am.

The fun run entry fee for runners who are 16 years old and under is £5.

Schools are being invited to enter the Anna's Hope Schools Challenge. Everyone who runs the 5K race and raises money for the charity will receive a certificate and each winning school will receive an Anna's Hope Challenge Trophy. The top primary and secondary school will win a TV and there will be a £500 ChromaSport voucher for the school that raises the most money overall.